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origination in Hameln

The well-known legend of the ratcatcher, the
Pied Piper of Hamelin, became associated in the 16th century with the alleged departure and fate of the children of Hameln in 1284. One hypothesis links the story with an exodus of the young men in connection with the German colonization of the east. The Pied Piper has also been likened to Nicholas of Cologne, who in 1212 led thousands of German...